UPDATE 1-Mexico's Lopez Obrador: Crude output to hit 2.6 mln bpd by end of his term

2 MIN. DE LECTURA

(Adds background on Pemex and details of plan to increase production)

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Saturday that crude production in the country is expected to reach at least 2.6 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of his administration, up from current levels of 1.8 million bpd.

Lopez Obrador added that new tenders for drilling oil wells announced this week will take place on state oil firm Pemex’s fields and shallow waters.

“The public investment will be dedicated to extracting petroleum in Pemex’s territory,” he said. “Those platforms that are not being occupied will have work again.”

Lopez Obrador said earlier this week that the tenders will begin in December but did not provide further details.

To boost production, Pemex will need to strike agreements with companies it has traditionally partnered with to begin drilling or tap existing wells, said Lopez Obrador.

Pemex’s production has hit its lowest level in decades, with its six refineries operating at just 40 percent capacity, increasing the need for fuel imports.

Lopez Obrador, who takes office in December, has long criticized the outgoing government’s move to open the oil industry to private capital. The leftist has vowed to strengthen state oil company Petróleos Mexicanos PEMX.UL, known as Pemex, and refine more crude in Mexico. (Reporting by Adriana Barrera Writing by Ana Isabel Martinez and Julia Love Editing by Paul Simao, Grant McCool)